Instagram launches its first original video series

Snapchat’s attempt at scripted shows didn’t go so well, but that isn’t stopping Instagram from giving the concept a whirl: it’s launching Series 5, its first original video series. The show (directed by Hello Carter‘s Anthony Wilcox) tells the tale of an on-the-run security driver framed for involvement in a diamond heist. As you might guess, Instagram’s 15-second video format means that you won’t be watching this all at once. Instead, the series will play out across 28 episodes spread out over the month, with the first episode arriving today (February 2nd). That’s not exactly a long show — 7 minutes, all told — so it’s clear that the appeal comes more from the “what happens next?” suspense than an intricate plot.

It’s not yet known why Instagram is dipping its toes into the waters of scripted material, but it isn’t hard to figure out why the social photo service might give this a shot. Instagram depends on ads for income, and that means giving you reasons to keep coming back. An original story provides a more reliable way to do this than depending on users, who can’t always provide a steady stream of interesting shots.

Via: Onion AV Club

Source: Deadline